Gov. Jay Nixon hired a consultant without competitive bids, and the state then doubled his spending cap within two months of being hired, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nixon hired the Baller Herbst Law Group in July to seek more federal stimulus grants for broadband Internet access in Missouri. The state initially set a spending limit at $50,000, then raised it to $100,000. Baller spent nearly $72,000 in July and August alone, according to the paper.

State Republicans questioned the no-bid deal, while Nixon's top spokesperson defended it because of the "short deadline and the expertise needed" to apply for grants, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced Sept. 23 broad plans to clean up the water in Lake of the Ozarks.

The initiative, to be carried out by the Department of Natural Resources, will focus on stricter regulation of wastewater permitting and further testing of the lake's water.

The governor could not specify what the program will cost or where the money will come from.   

• Get the complete story here. [ http://www.mdn.org/2009/STORIES/CLEANUP.HTM ]
  

• Get the complete story here.
  

Republicans called Nixon a fox guarding a henhouse in a Sept. 23 news release concerning his ability to negotiate with groups who donated to his campaign.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is asking Missouri for a six percent increase in pay for some 7,000 workers.

AFSCME donated $60,000 to Nixon's campaign last year. Republicans claim this will make it difficult for Nixon to negotiate impartially.

Members of the union rallied at the Capitol building Sept. 22 and presented a declaration to Governor Nixon asking for adequate staffing.

Negotiations between the state and the union began that day.

Personal testimonies were given by state workers that have been attacked at their job on account of under staffing.